How to count how many times a string appears in another string in Batch?

Question

I used code below

set var=mystringstring
echo %var%|find /c "str"

and it returned 2 as expected.

However, when I try to store it in a variable like

set var=mystringstring
set var= echo %var%|find /c "str"

it returned 0, and var remained mystringstring.

I think you need to look at - SETLOCAL EnableDelayedExpansion. The variable is then addressed as !var!. — tukan
– tukan, Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 8:33
This isn't BASH. To capture the output of a command in a Windows Batch File you use a FOR /F command. — Squashman
– Squashman, Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 12:07
@Squashman I know I can use FOR /F but It seems silly to use loops on a single result, which is the number of times of presence. — microwaver
– microwaver, Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 17:42
Your code example actually does not output two. The FIND command only counts occurrences once per line. Your code example only outputs one. — Squashman
– Squashman, Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 17:56

Squashman · Accepted Answer · 2018-09-14 18:19:13Z

2

If you want to count the number of occurrences of string within another string you can do this.

@echo off
set var=mystringstring
set n=0
set x=%var%
set "x=%x:str=" & set /a n+=1 & set "x=%"
echo The string "str" occurs %n% time(s) in "%var%"
pause

answered Sep 14, 2018 at 18:19

Squashman

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4 Comments

Aacini Over a year ago

Yes, this is obvious... ;) +1

Squashman Over a year ago

@Aacini, “Good artists copy, great artists steal”

microwaver Over a year ago

I don't really understand the line set "x=%x:str=" & set /a n+=1 & set "x=%". Could you please tell me how it works(I guess it counts once per replacement).

Squashman Over a year ago

@microwaver, the trick is the substitution with the set command. For every occurrence of the string it is replacing it with another set command to iterate the number of occurrences. The best way to visualize it is to actually see it. Turn ECHO ON at the top of the script and watch it execute. Once you see how the actual code is executing it will be very clear.

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